Revamped Celebrity Eclipse to call Melbourne home in Dec 2020

The 2,850-passenger cruise ship will first undergo an extensive renovation as part of the company’s US$500m “Revolution” modernisation programme, which will update its accommodation, culinary programmes and public spaces.

Celebrity Eclipse will sail to its new homeport of Melbourne in December 2020 for a four-month season in Australia.

The 2,850-passenger cruise ship will first undergo an extensive renovation as part of the company’s US$500m “Revolution” modernisation programme, which will update its accommodation, culinary programmes and public spaces.

Thereafter, it will mark its maiden season in the Down Under with a 14-night repositioning from Singapore to Sydney via the country’s east coast, arriving in Sydney on December 8. She will sail a two-night sampler voyage before departing on a 13-night cruise to Melbourne via New Zealand, arriving on December 23.

From Melbourne, she will operate seven round trips, ranging between eight and 14 nights, to destinations in the South Pacific, New Zealand, Queensland, Tasmania and South Australia. Eclipse will end her inaugural Australian season on April 4, 2021 with a 19-night repositioning voyage from Melbourne to Honolulu, Hawaii.

Eclipse will be the second Celebrity ship in Australia in 2020, joining Solstice which will arrive in Sydney on October 16, 2020 for her ninth season in the country. Solstice will depart Australia for a 19-night repositioning voyage to Honolulu on April 14, 2021. Itineraries for the two ships are now open.

Susan Bonner, vice-president and managing director of RCL Cruises Australia and New Zealand, said the decision to homeport two Solstice-class ships is a testament to the strength of the industry in Australia and its popularity with international and domestic tourists.